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The trip you requested will be changing due to annual improvements to our itineraries. To give you the widest choice, we've also included the closest alternative trips to your selection. We have listed all departures that are still to run from our previous brochure. Please download the trip notes for exact itinerary of any given departure.
Route: Addis Ababa to Nairobi or v.v.
Length of Section: 24 Days
Comfort Zone: 5 out of 5 [what's this?]
Physical Rating: 4 out of 6 [what's this?]
Crew: 2 crew, local guides as necessary.
Vehicle: Overland expedition vehicle, jeeps
Accommodation: Campsites, some wildcamps, small hostel/hotel. (75% camping, 25% hotels)
Why not add one of these trips to the start or end of your adventure:
Kilimanjaro Marangu Route (7 days)
Kilimanjaro Rongai Route (8 days)
Kilimanjaro Machame Route (8 days)
Madventurer Kenya Volunteer Project (a 2, 4 or 6 week building and teaching project)
Madventurer Tanzania Volunteer Project (a 2, 4 or 6 week building and teaching project)
Africa's Rift Valley is home to some remarkable tribal groups, and on this adventurous trip we'll seek them out, heading deep into southern Ethiopia's Omo Valley. It's a challenging region to travel in, and overlanding provides the only real access to these isolated communities. We'll meet the Hamer, who practice bull jumping as an initiation rite, the Banna and the Arbore, whose lifestyles have changed little for centuries, and visit a fascinating Rastafarian project. Crossing southern Ethiopia we reach the Kenyan border, through semi-desert to Samburu National Park for some game viewing. The Samburu people live here, and we'll spend time learning about their culture before going on safari in Lake Nakuru, ending our trip in Nairobi.
what's included?
Nights 1 - 5: Ethiopian Rift Valley & Mountains
- Addis Ababa, the northern Rift Valley and Lake Langano
- Visit to Lake Abiyata, and see the flamingos near Shashemene
- 3 nights in the wilds of Bale Mountains National Park for hiking or mule/horse trekking
- Visit the Rastafarian community and educational project at Shashemene
Nights 6 - 9 Ethiopian Rift Valley
- Overland through Ethiopia's Rift Valley along the shores of Lake Abaya
- 2 night stay at Arba Minch to explore the market or nearby Lake Chamo and its crocodiles
Nights 10 - 14 Southern Ethiopia
- Visit to tribal region near Omo River, seeing Hamer, Banna and Dascench tribes
- Overnight in Konzo, centre of the Konso people
Nights 15 - 19 Southern Ethiopia & Northern Kenya
- Remote overland journey through the wilds and deserts of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya
- Wildlife safari in Samburu National Park: elephants, lions, Grevy's zebra and numerous other animals
- Visit to Samburu tribal community and cultural project with local Samburu tribespeople
Nights 20 - 23 Kenyan Rift Valley
- Safari in Lake Nakuru National Park, excellent for rhino
- Visit to Elsamere Born Free foundation at Lake Naivasha
- Overnight in Kenya's capital city, Nairobi
what can I do on the way?
(Activities available at extra costs)
- Visit the spectacular Thomson Falls at Nyahururu
- Walking safaris with big game in Naivasha
- Lake Chamo National Park to see the crocodile 'market' - not a real market but where loads of crocs live
- Horse/mule treks or guided hikes through Bale Mountain National Park
General Notes:
Because of the nature of this tour, the itinerary may well vary from that published. This trip will involve crossing remote areas and there will be an element of discomfort. This is a tough but very rewarding trip.Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels and hostels.
Alternative routes starting from Addis Ababa:
Overland Between Addis and Cape Town (71 Days)
Overland Between Addis and Zanzibar (40 Days)
Overland Between Addis and Livingstone (50 Days)
Overland Between Addis and Cape Town (71 Days)
+ Show Alternative routes